it sounds ludicrous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sounds ludicrous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disbelief or ridicule towards an idea, statement, or situation that seems absurd or unreasonable. Example: "When he suggested we could solve the problem by simply ignoring it, I couldn't help but think it sounds ludicrous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It sounds ludicrous now, but when Phelps, now 27, began his journey toward becoming the Tiger Woods of swimming, he had no clue what Mark Spitz had done.

The New York Times - Sports

On the surface it sounds ludicrous.

TechCrunch

It sounds ludicrous at the outset, but what doesn't?

TechCrunch

It sounds ludicrous, but in the world of IoT, the answer to this question is public.

Forbes

It sounds ludicrous, I know, but I know enough about watchmaking to say it's not nearly as ludicrous as it sounds.

TechCrunch

It sounds ludicrous that someone (me) whose net worth is a rounding error on Trump's tax form would feel sorry for him, but I do.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Ta I tried to write Trainspotting in standard English but it sounded ludicrous and pretentious when I read it back.

The Guardian - Books

It sounded ludicrous, but then again I was standing in the middle of a garbage dump talking to a member of the Ku Klux Klan in 2013.

Vice

It probably sounds ludicrous, it might not even work, but we need to think about expanding in these ways.

The Guardian

Independent oil producers are accusing those dastardly foreigners of selling their oil too cheap.It sounds ludicrous, and it is.

The Economist

If this sentence sounds ludicrous to you, it's time to start speaking out against the death penalty.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds ludicrous" to express a polite yet firm disagreement or disbelief, particularly when you want to avoid being overly confrontational.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "it sounds ludicrous" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary and phrasing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds ludicrous" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a negative assessment of something heard or proposed. It indicates that the speaker perceives the subject as absurd or unreasonable. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct to use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Tech

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science & Research

2%

Sports

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it sounds ludicrous" is a phrase used to express that something seems absurd or unbelievable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, it's important to remember that its informal tone may not be suitable for highly formal situations. Alternatives such as "it seems preposterous" or "it appears absurd" can be used to achieve a more formal tone when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems preposterous

Replaces "sounds" with "seems" and "ludicrous" with "preposterous", offering a more formal tone.

it appears absurd

Substitutes "sounds" with "appears" and "ludicrous" with "absurd", providing a slightly more detached observation.

it strikes me as ridiculous

Uses a more personal and emphatic structure to convey the sense of disbelief.

that's a laughable idea

Replaces the descriptive phrase with a more direct dismissal of the idea's merit.

it's patently absurd

Emphasizes the obviousness of the absurdity, making it a stronger statement.

that seems like nonsense

Replaces "ludicrous" with "nonsense", indicating a lack of logical coherence.

it defies belief

Highlights the incredibility of the statement or situation.

it's beyond comprehension

Suggests the idea is not only absurd but also difficult to understand.

that's simply unbelievable

Emphasizes the lack of credibility in the situation or statement.

it's too far-fetched to be true

Highlights the implausibility of the idea, suggesting it's unlikely to happen or be real.

FAQs

What does "it sounds ludicrous" mean?

It means something seems absurd, unreasonable, or completely unbelievable. It's a way of expressing that an idea or statement appears foolish or nonsensical.

What can I say instead of "it sounds ludicrous"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems ridiculous", "it appears absurd", or "that's a laughable idea" depending on the context.

Is "it sounds ludicrous" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal settings may benefit from more sophisticated phrasing.

How to use "it sounds ludicrous" in a sentence?

You can use it to react to a statement or idea. For example, "When he suggested we could solve the problem by simply ignoring it, it sounds ludicrous."